Thousands of Senegal opposition supporters gather for three-day protest

FILE PHOTO: Opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was arrested on sexual assault accusations and released on bail under judicial supervision, speaks during a news conference in Dakar, Senegal March 8, 2021. REUTERS/Cooper Inveen

DAKAR (Reuters) - Around 5,000 supporters of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko gathered in Dakar, the capital, on Tuesday for a three-day protest to show support for the aspiring presidential candidate, who faces a libel case which is set to resume this week.

The demonstrations are the latest expression of growing tensions in Senegal in the run-up to a 2024 election that could see President Macky Sall vie for a controversial third term, which the opposition says is unconstitutional.